The Secret to Adult Learning

I have a confession to make. I don’t know how to file my taxes. I’ve done it for years. Decades even. But I do not know what I’m doing. 

I don’t have to. I pay someone to do it for me. (And she’s great - ask me about Ashlee!) 

I’d imagine many of you are similar. Can you honestly say that you know the significance of box 12? I can’t. 

Here’s the simple, most foundational truth about adult learners:

Adults will not learn something until

they need to know that something.

Next year, I’ll google (again) what I’m supposed to do with Box 12. Until then, good riddance to that nugget of information I’ll never actually possess. 

But why?  
With age comes wisdom… and sometimes forgetfulness. Adults learn differently than children. And for good reason. 

As adults, we become more selective and judicious in how we use our brain. As we age, our brains get better at determining what information we may need to access in the future. The wisdom that comes from experience that has created a threshold that new information either will or will not cross. If it isn’t immediately apparent that this is information we need, our brains purge it. 

Consequently, interesting and pertinent information, though it is interesting and pertinent, does not always stay committed to memory. If you’ve ever had an employee ask you multiple times to explain a process, where a file is located, or the distinctions between System A and System B, you know what I’m talking about.

It’s not that your adult employees aren’t genuinely motivated to learn. The challenge is there are conditions that must be met for adults to absorb and retain the information you want them to learn. You cannot simply tell an adult something one time and expect it to be information or knowledge they now possess. 

It’s a commonly held (mis)belief that professional adults learn easily. After all, adults have gone through school, may have bachelors or advanced degrees, and have professional experience. The reality is adults have unique learning needs that have to be met in order for new information to be absorbed and retained. 

Leaders must understand and meet the conditions necessary for adult learning so that new informational content can be retained long term. Without it, you may find you’ll have to repeat yourself many times.

Understanding and meeting the needs of adult learners improves the quality of your workforce, ensures your material is meaningful, and drives business.

Does your organization require your adult workforce to learn new concepts, skills, or product details? Of course you do! 

If you’re not sure how adults learn and want some additional information, give us a shout!  I’m here to help. jess@alloralearning.com